Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-42gr6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-24T13:49:46.166Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Improvements in microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Si–Cu alloy–Al2O3 nanocomposite modified by ZrO2

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 September 2014

Rahman Bajmalu Rostami  and
Mohammad Tajally
Rahman Bajmalu Rostami*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Materials Engineering and Metallurgy, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran35131–19111
Mohammad Tajally*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Materials Engineering and Metallurgy, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran35131–19111
*
a)Address all correspondence to these authors. e-mail: rahman_bajmalu@yahoo.com
b)e-mail: m_tajally@profs.semnan.ac.ir
Get access

Abstract

In the present research, the microstructures and mechanical properties of Al–Si–Cu alloy matrix composites reinforced with nanosized alumina (Al2O3) and zirconia (ZrO2) were investigated. For this purpose, Al2O3 particulates were replaced with different wt% of ZrO2 to improve microstructure and mechanical properties. The T6 heat treatment was also performed to investigate mechanical properties in heat-treated condition. Tensile testing, hardness measurement, optical microscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope examination were used to characterize the behavior of composite and matrix. The highest tensile strength was achieved in the specimen containing 1.25 wt% ZrO2 and 0.75 wt% Al2O3, which shows an increase to 36% in comparison with the nonreinforced base alloy. The hardness values indicated 11% increase following the heat treatment. Fracture surface examinations revealed a transition from ductile fracture mode in as-cast aluminum alloy to rather brittle in Al–Si–Cu alloy matrix hybrid composites.

Keywords

Al–Si–Cu–aluminum alloynanocompositeheat treatmentmechanical properties
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 29 , Issue 21 , 14 November 2014 , pp. 2505 - 2513
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Kumar, S., Chakraborty, M., Subramanya Sarma, V., and Murty, B.: Tensile and wear behaviour of in-situ Al–7Si/TiB2 particulate composites. Wear 265(1), 134 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Song, M. and Huang, B.: Effects of particle size on the fracture toughness of SiCp/Al alloy metal matrix composites. Mater. Sci. Eng., A 488(1), 601 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wang, H., Li, G., Zhao, Y., and Chen, G.: In situ fabrication and microstructure of Al2O3 particles reinforced aluminum matrix composites. Mater. Sci. Eng., A 527(12), 2881 (2010).Google Scholar
Wang, H., Zhang, R., Hu, X., Wang, C-A., and Huang, Y.: Characterization of a powder metallurgy SiC/Cu–Al composite. J. Mater. Process. Technol. 197(1), 43 (2008).Google Scholar
Zhu, H., Min, J., Li, J., Ai, Y., Ge, L., and Wang, H.: In situ fabrication of (α-Al2O3 + Al3Zr)/Al composites in an Al–ZrO2 system. Compos. Sci. Technol. 70(15), 2183 (2010).Google Scholar
Habibnejad-Korayem, M., Mahmudi, R., and Poole, W.: Enhanced properties of Mg-based nano-composites reinforced with Al2O3 nano-particles. Mater. Sci. Eng., A 519(1), 198 (2009).Google Scholar
Mazahery, A. and Shabani, M.O.: Characterization of cast A356 alloy reinforced with nano SiC composites. Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 22(2), 275 (2012).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tahamtan, S., Halvaee, A., Emamy, M., and Zabihi, M.: Fabrication of Al/A206–Al2O3 nano/micro composite by combining ball milling and stir casting technology. Mater. Des. 49, 347 (2013).Google Scholar
Ma, Z., Tjong, S., Li, Y., and Liang, Y.: High temperature creep behavior of nanometric Si3N4 particulate reinforced aluminium composite. Mater. Sci. Eng., A 225(1), 125 (1997).Google Scholar
Tian, K., Zhao, Y., Jiao, L., Zhang, S., Zhang, Z., and Wu, X.: Effects of in situ generated ZrB2 nano-particles on microstructure and tensile properties of 2024Al matrix composites. J. Alloys Compd. 594, 1–6 (2014).Google Scholar
Hemanth, J.: Development and property evaluation of aluminum alloy reinforced with nano-ZrO2 metal matrix composites (NMMCs). Mater. Sci. Eng., A 507(1), 110 (2009).Google Scholar
Ravindran, P., Manisekar, K., Vinoth Kumar, S., and Rathika, P.: Investigation of microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminum hybrid nano-composites with the additions of solid lubricant. Mater. Des. 51, 448 (2013).Google Scholar
Thakur, S.K., Kong, T.S., and Gupta, M.: Microwave synthesis and characterization of metastable (Al/Ti) and hybrid (Al/Ti + SiC) composites. Mater. Sci. Eng., A 452, 61 (2007).Google Scholar
Ahamed, H. and Senthilkumar, V.: Experimental investigation on newly developed ultrafine-grained aluminium based nano-composites with improved mechanical properties. Mater. Des. 37, 182 (2012).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, W.F.: Structure and Properties of Engineering Alloys, 2nd ed.; McGraw-Hill: New York, 1993.Google Scholar
Daguano, J., Santos, C., Souza, R., Balestra, R., Strecker, K., and Elias, C.: Properties of ZrO2–Al2O3 composite as a function of isothermal holding time. Int. J. Refract. Met. Hard Mater. 25(5), 374 (2007).Google Scholar
Fang, X., Shao, G., Liu, Y., and Fan, Z.: Effects of intensive forced melt convection on the mechanical properties of Fe containing Al–Si based alloys. Mater. Sci. Eng., A 445, 65 (2007).Google Scholar
Lu, L. and Dahle, A.: Iron-rich intermetallic phases and their role in casting defect formation in hypoeutectic Al–Si alloys. Metall. Mater. Trans. A 36(13), 819 (2005).Google Scholar
Seifeddine, S., Johansson, S., and Svensson, I.L.: The influence of cooling rate and manganese content on the β-Al5FeSi phase formation and mechanical properties of Al–Si-based alloys. Mater. Sci. Eng., A 490(1), 385 (2008).Google Scholar
Taylor, J.A.: The effect of iron in Al-Si casting alloys. In 35th Australian Foundry Institute National Conference, Adelaide, Australia (Australian Foundry Institute, Australia, 2004); p. 148.Google Scholar
Tillová, E., Chalupová, M., and Hurtalová, L.: Evolution of Phases in a Recycled Al-Si Cast Alloy During Solution Treatment, Kazmiruk, V. ed.; InTech: 2012; p. 411.Google Scholar
Zhu, H., Ai, Y., Min, J., Wu, Q., and Wang, H.: Dry sliding wear behavior of Al-based composites fabricated by exothermic dispersion reaction in an Al–ZrO2–C system. Wear 268(11), 1465 (2010).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cho, Y.H., Lee, H.C., Im, Y-R., and Kwon, S-W.: The effect of alloying elements on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-12Si cast alloys. In Materials Science Forum, Vol. 426, Trans Tech Publication, Stafa-Zurich, 2003; p. 339.Google Scholar
Mohamed, A. and Samuel, F.: Microstructure, tensile properties and fracture behavior of high temperature Al-Si-Mg-Cu cast alloys. Mater. Sci. Eng., A 577, 64 (2013).Google Scholar
Zhang, Z., Zhang, L., and Mai, Y-W.: Particle effects on friction and wear of aluminium matrix composites. J. Mater. Sci. 30(23), 5999 (1995).Google Scholar
Pasaribu, H.R.: Friction and wear of zirconia and alumina ceramics doped with CuO. In Dutch Technology Foundation, University of Twente: Enschede, 2005, p. 142.Google Scholar
Besterci, M., Slesar, M., and Jangg, G.: Structure and properties of dispersion hardened Al-Al4C3 materials. Powder Metall. Int. 24(1), 27 (1992).Google Scholar
Saiz, E., Tomsia, A.P., and Suganuma, K.: Wetting and strength issues at Al/α–alumina interfaces. J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. 23(15), 2787 (2003).Google Scholar
Schultz, B., Ferguson, J., and Rohatgi, P.: Microstructure and hardness of Al2O3 nanoparticle reinforced Al–Mg composites fabricated by reactive wetting and stir mixing. Mater. Sci. Eng., A 530, 87 (2011).Google Scholar
Abdizadeh, H. and Baghchesara, M.A.: Investigation on mechanical properties and fracture behavior of A356 aluminum alloy based ZrO2 particle reinforced metal-matrix composites. Ceram. Int. 39(2), 2045 (2013).Google Scholar
Hajizamani, M. and Baharvandi, H.: Fabrication and studying the mechanical properties of A356 alloy reinforced with Al2O3-10% vol. ZrO2 nanoparticles through stir casting. Adv. Mater. Phys. Chem. 1(2), 26 (2011).Google Scholar
Rendtorff, N., Garrido, L., and Aglietti, E.: Thermal behavior of Mullite–Zirconia–Zircon composites. Influence of Zirconia phase transformation. J. Therm. Anal. Calorim. 104(2), 569 (2011).Google Scholar
Lin, J.D. and Duh, J.G.: Fracture toughness and hardness of ceria-and yttria-doped tetragonal zirconia ceramics. Mater. Chem. Phys. 78(1), 253 (2003).Google Scholar
Li, Y., Ramesh, K., and Chin, E.: Comparison of the plastic deformation and failure of A359/SiC and 6061-T6/Al2O3 metal matrix composites under dynamic tension. Mater. Sci. Eng., A 371(1), 359 (2004).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Syu, D.G. and Ghosh, A.: The effect of temperature on the fracture mechanism in 2014Al/15vol.% Al2O3 composite. Mater. Sci. Eng., A 184(1), 27 (1994).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baghchesara, M., Baharvandi, H., and Abdizadeh, H.: Investigation on mechanical properties and surfaces fracture of Al/ZrO2 composite. In International Conference on Smart Materials and Nanotechnology in Engineering, International Society for Optics and Photonics, Harbin, 2007; p. 642368.Google Scholar
Tahamtan, S., Boostani, A.F., and Nazemi, H.: Mechanical properties and fracture behavior of thixoformed, rheocast and gravity-cast A356 alloy. J. Alloys Compd. 468(1), 107 (2009).Google Scholar
Akbari, M.K., Mirzaee, O., and Baharvandi, H.: Fabrication and study on mechanical properties and fracture behavior of nanometric Al2O3 particle-reinforced A356 composites focusing on the parameters of vortex method. Mater. Des. 46(Complete), 199 (2013).Google Scholar
Mazahery, A. and Ostad Shabani, M.: Plasticity and microstructure of A356 matrix nano composites. J. King Saud Univ., Eng. Sci. 25(1), 41 (2013).Google Scholar
Zhang, X., Liu, C., Li, M., Zhang, J., and Sun, J.: Toughening mechanism of alumina-matrix ceramic composites with the addition of AlTiC master alloys and ZrO2. Ceram. Int. 35(1), 93 (2009).Google Scholar